LS1-Swapped 1969 Chevy Camaro Is One Classy Drop Top Cruiser: Track Time Tuesday Presented by the All-New Nitto Recon Grappler™ A/T

By Brett Foote - August 31, 2021

As if the 1969 Chevy Camaro isn’t great enough as-is, this amazing restomod takes it to an entirely new level.

Ask most Bow Tie fanatics what their favorite car of all time is, and a large percent will reply with a very specific answer – the 1969 Chevy Camaro. Most consider this model year to be the pinnacle of GM’s legendary muscle car and one of the best-looking vehicles ever produced by anyone. When you add a bit of modern power to the mix, it gets even better, as is the case with this 1969 Chevy Camaro convertible up for grabs at Hemmings.

The subject of this week’s Track Time Tuesday presented by Nitto is truly a tastefully done restomod, inside and out. The classic Camaro is powered by a 5.7-liter LS1 V8 built by Hensley Performance of Knoxville, Tennessee, which has been treated to a few mods including a bigger cam and throttle body, reworked heads, headers, and a custom exhaust. Power flows through a built 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission to a 10-bolt rear fitted with 3.42 gears, which should make for a fun combination that’s also pleasant out on the highway.

You’ll certainly attract a lot of attention wherever you go in this bright red beauty, which features a show car-like finish thanks to professional bodywork and paint.

All of the glass, save for the door panes, is new, as well as all of the seals and weatherstripping. The chrome and convertible top were likewise replaced, a cowl hood added, and the firewall was smoothed out to better frame the new powerplant underhood.

The interior was completely replaced and maintains a mostly stock appearance, albeit with a few upgrades added. The front seats are new, while the rear seats were re-sculpted.

The gauges look original but have been upgraded to work with the LS1 powerplant, and a RetroSound radio accomplishes the same by giving off an OEM vibe but with the added functionality of Bluetooth. Power windows and air conditioning top off the list of amenities, which are welcome in a cool classic like this.

Of course, one can’t upgrade everything on a 1969 Chevy Camaro like this and not address the suspension, too. Thus, this restomod has a host of upgrades underneath, including a TCI tubular front subframe, coilovers, Wilwood disc brakes, and rack-and-pinion steering.

The car comes with two wheel options from Foose Design as well – black or chrome, both measuring in at 20 inches in the rear and 18 inches up front.

With just 150 miles on the clock, this cool Camaro is ready for a new home after a recent appearance at the National Street Rod Association’s Builder’s Showcase, and that lucky person will have one incredible example of what most consider to be the finest Camaro ever built.